Beauty is Interconnectedness. Victoria Patrick Zolnoski
Goddard College, Pratt Library Conference Room,
July 24 - November 20, 2015
Closing reception: November 20, 3-5 pm
The quest for beauty has haunted me since I was a little girl. For me it has always been found in nature, which is its source and the foundation of oneness on Earth. Beauty is the interconnectedness of all creation; it cannot be defined by value, worth, even goodness or veritas. Those are human labels that remove us, smack of judgment, and perhaps thoughts of superiority. We allow the rest of nature to retain oneness, but separate ourselves from the equation. This is our problem. When we sense beauty we recognize our real relationship to the rest of the world, that we are not removed, isolated or alone (only by our minds and making). Beauty is the recognition of our unity with the greater universe; it opens all senses, creates belonging and purpose: to care for each other, the earth and all of her inhabitants.
This photography-based exhibition includes classic silver gelatin prints combined with photograms, chromoskedasic photographs and digital prints on fabric. Chromoskedasic is Greek for “color by light scattering” and in this unusual process the regularly exposed black and white image is painted with chemistry in sunlight. The light creates variety in the shapes of the silver particles, therefore making different colors, often metallic in appearance. There is little control over this process and each image is unique. Two triptychs repeat the same image similar to the work of Andy Warhol, but with environmental not Pop sensibilities.
As a Second Wave Feminist and Eco-feminist Zolnoski presents the unity of woman with nature. “My topic has been the same since the 80’s and feminism is not a dirty word. I have never gotten bored portraying women in nature. It is a sacred event and I approach the model and environment in a worshipful way. The photographs are portraits are of a place as well as an individual who is also often an archetype. Portraiture is always collaboration. Vermont is my home because of its natural beauty.”
Hand felted headdresses with ancient and tribal overtones are combined in a display case with objects found in nature. The artist makes or finds all of her props; some are gifted to her. “The photo shoot becomes the ritual that activates the magic of my art. I photograph women because I am one; they represent my common language, but so do trees and animals, both alive and dead. I witness, participate and capture beauty to show reverence for and my oneness with the earth. We do not own nature; we are a part of it.” Other imagery can be seen at: victoriazolnoski.com or beautyshaman.com.